Green sells stake in Topshop to Leonard Green for $805 million

By Marianne Wilson

New York -- British billionaire Sir Philip Green, the owner of the Arcadia retail group, sold a 25% stake in his fast-fashion Topshop and Topman retail chains to Los Angeles-based Leonard Green & Partners for about $805 million. Arcadia’s other retail divisions include Miss Selfridges, Bhs, and Dorothy Parker.

The deal, which will help fund Topshop’s expansion in the United States, values the company at $3.2 billion, according to a statement from Green. Topshop currently has three U.S. flagships, in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. It also has entered into a deal to open in-store shops in select Nordstrom locations.

“Both the Topshop/Topman businesses are very cash generative, and with LGP alongside us, our plan is to step up our international investment program as relevant locations present themselves in the USA and around the world,” Green said in a statement. “This is a very exciting time for the Arcadia Group, with a clear strategy now in place for Topshop/Topman to become major global players. All of our other businesses will continue to be invested in and developed.”

The transaction leaves both Topshop and Arcadia free of bank debt and with positive cash balances, the retailer said. Arcadia owner Taveta Investments Ltd. reported net debt of 308.9 million pounds at the end of its last financial year.